Patient Library
At Bayview Village Dental Associates we are convinced that our patients deserve current, clear information about the technology, treatments and procedures we use in our practice. Each case will vary depending on the needs and concerns of each individual. The information presented is intended to educate the general public on common dental topics. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for a professional dental exam and consultation. Many people do not completely understand these dental terms unless they have had first hand experience with them at their dentist's office.
We hope that this information will provide you with some basic dental knowledge so that we here at Bayview Village Dental Associates can devise a plan to keep your oral health in check and give you the smile you deserve.
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CEREC®
Cerec® is the greatest technological advancement in dentistry to date. Enabling Porcelain Restorations to be completed within just one dental appointment; CEREC® limits the time you spend in the dental chair.
Chair-side Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics or CEREC® is the most effective restoration process available. No longer is it necessary to attend several dental appointments, undergo messy oral impressions or laboratory work; in order to create a Porcelain Restoration. CEREC® enables Porcelain Restorations to be created while you wait in the dental chair. The impression of your teeth is taken digitally with a camera and may be viewed instantly on screen by both yourself and your dentist. The Restoration is then prepared, designed and milled in-office. CEREC® restorations fit and wear like natural teeth; lasting for several years. The materials utilized are non-antagonizing and non-irritating to the pulp floor (minimizing the chances of Root Canal Treatment).
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Composite Resins
Through advances in modern dental materials and techniques; the shape, color, and alignment of your teeth can be improved to give you the smile you've always wanted.
Your dentist is able to blend composite shades and shapes so as to match the original teeth nearly perfectly. The tooth-composite bond actually serves to support the remaining tooth structure, preventing breakage and providing insulation against temperature changes. Resin placement is simple. Depending on the size of the filling and location of the composite, it may require as little as 10 to 20 minutes longer than what's needed for a traditional silver filling. Although some patients notice a bit of post-placement sensitivity, this is temporary.
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Dentures
Many people believe that once they have dentures, they no longer need regular dental care because they don't have any teeth. Denture wearers require regular check ups and maintenance to ensure their health, comfort, and appearance. Regular dental visits are extremely important to help maintain your dentures as well as your oral health. During checkups, your dentist will examine the lining of your mouth, tongue, palate, jaws and ridges that support your dentures to ensure they remain healthy. These visits are also important because your mouth and gum ridge changes over time which can cause a less secure fit.
You should call your dentist if you experience any sores that form in your mouth as a result of your dentures irritating the soft tissue. If your denture chips, breaks or wears down over time, do not try to repair it yourself. Improper repair materials may cause oral care problems.
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Digital Radiography
Traditionally, dentists use x-rays to find out what's going on below the surface, developing them in a darkroom full of chemicals, and examining the resulting films on a special light board. Digital radiography entirely outmodes that cumbersome process. Now, a tiny sensor placed in the mouth acts like a miniature VCR camera with an x-ray sensitive chip, exposing you to 50%-90% less radiation exposure than with traditional x-ray techniques. The resulting highly detailed image of your mouth is almost instantaneously translated onto our computer screen, carrying with it all the conveniences of other digitized images: we can rotate it, magnify it, adjust it for contrast, and even color-code it for educational purposes. And because it helps our patients clearly understand the root issues behind their dental health, we're able to work together to determine the very best treatment options for each case.
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Implants
For people who have lost teeth, implants provide artificial teeth that look more natural and feel more secure. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth or support a bridge, full dentures or partial dentures. Made of light titanium metal, dental implants are substitutes for natural tooth roots. Over time dental implants fuse to your jawbone, helping to preserve it and provide a more stable base for individual replacement teeth, dentures and bridgework. Replacement teeth secured by implants often feel and look more natural than those without, and allow people to eat and talk more naturally.
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Invisalign®
FDA approved Invisalign® is the ìinvisibleî way to straighten your teeth without wearing conventional metal braces. FDA approved Invisalign® is the ìinvisibleî way to straighten your teeth without wearing conventional metal braces. Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable custom-made aligners to move your teeth. Because you remove your aligners before you eat and drink, there are no food restrictions or problems with flossing or brushing. This technology is also more comfortable, avoiding the mouth abrasions that can be caused by the metal and wires of conventional braces. And this technology is also more convenient, since you are likely to spend less time in the doctorís office getting adjustments.
Invisalign® uses 3-D computer imaging technology to design the complete treatment plan, from the initial teeth positioning to the desired final positioning. This 3-D imaging allows you to preview the final positioning of your teeth before you start treatment. Custom-made aligners are created based on the imaging information. Each of these aligners moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about 2 weeks. Typically, you will visit your dentist once every 6 weeks for ìprogress reports. Not every situation can be treated with Invisalign®, so call the office to get an evaluation to see if you can be helped with this new technology.
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Oral Sedation
For anxious patients, this new treatment is a miracle. Imagine no longer being afraid to go to the dentist or having to have multiple visits to complete treatment. Your dental health is important and need not be neglected any longer. Oral Anxiolysis Dentistry is as simple as taking a pill. For our patients who need that extra help to relax, we offer oral anxiolysis (reducing your anxiety).
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We review your medical history. If cleared by your MD, you are given a pill to take one hour prior to your dental appointment. You will need a companion to drive you to and from the dental office. The pill works quickly to create a relaxed state so you will be drowsy when you arrive. During treatment, your vital signs will be monitored while you are in a sleep-like state. You will be able to respond to any given commands or questions, but may not recall events while the drug is in effect. This is ideal for the dental phobic patient.
Beyond creating an optimal environment for you, anxiolysis dentistry allows us to complete multiple treatments in one appointment. You can relax while we give you the smile you deserve.
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Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because early periodontal disease is painless and shows few symptoms, patients are often unaware that there is a problem. For this reason, regular dental visits are essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.
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Prevention
Prevention and early detection are key in avoiding costly and painful dental treatment. Prevention begins with the control of plaque and calculus, the main cause of decay and gum disease.
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Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers - Are All Veneers Created Equally? Porcelain veneers can often provide people who have chipped, stained, discolored, unevenly spaced, or even slightly crooked front teeth with a dazzling new smile in just a few simple appointments! Are All Veneers Created Equally? Although near perfect smiles are what we have come to expect from veneers, unfortunately not all veneers are created equally. True quality porcelain veneers are custom made from many thin layers of porcelain, and when they are bonded to the front portion of the tooth for strength and durability, an experienced cosmetic dentist can give you the beautiful, healthy new smile of your dreams. When used properly, veneers can be used to close unwanted spaces between teeth, and replace missing, chipped, or malpositioned teeth. Veneers are a surprisingly easy and fun way to achieve that dazzling and radiant smile and self-confidence, once only available to actors, and models.
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Removal Of Teeth
The goal of modern dentistry is to prevent tooth loss; however, there are situations in which extraction is the only course of treatment.
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Restoring Damaged Teeth
Unfortunately, teeth damaged by decay or injury will not heal like most other tissues in the body. They require an artificial material to replace and restore the damaged tooth structure.
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Root Canal Therapy
If a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) become infected or inflamed, root canal treatment is often the only way to save the tooth. Below the porcelain of your tooth is an area of soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues. Root canals run in these tissues from the top (crown) of the tooth to its roots. A tooth's pulp can get injured or diseased when a tooth has a deep cavity or is cracked. When this happens, the diseased pulp must be removed to save the tooth. This is called root canal therapy.
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Tooth Decay & Gum Disease
Your mouth is constantly under attack from two serious enemies: tooth decay and gum disease. The key culprits behind these conditions are naturally occurring oral bacteria, and the acids they produce. And unchecked tooth decay leads inevitably to gum disease, which even conservative estimates say is present in at least 80% of the population. Gum disease, in turn, is responsible for up to 70% of adult tooth loss.
The most successful plan of attack involves education and prevention: brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly so that we can help you prevent and fight any trouble going on already. We can identify even the earliest warning signs: red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, gums that pull away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, pus between the gum and tooth, persistent bad breath, change in your bite, and/or a change in the fit of partial dentures. And we can treat it successfully, making your ongoing hygiene efforts that much more successful.
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TMJ or Migraine Headaches
TMJ disorder or TMD can cause a wide variety of mild to severe symptoms, from jaw clicking and minor discomfort to sharp pain in your temple, ear, jaw and teeth; it can also "lock" your jaw open or shut, or dislocate the jaw altogether.
The jaw joint is located just in front of each ear. It is a complex joint, and has many muscles controlling it. Many people experience severe pain in and around the joint for a number of reasons. The pain can be sharp right in the area of the joint, or it may feel like an earache. It may be persistent, and often severe, headaches result. People with TMJ problems may also experience muscles spasms in the neck, back or shoulders.
A bad bite, or persistent grinding or clenching of teeth can cause TMJ. Grinding and clenching seems to be related to stress. Correcting a poor bite and reducing stress in our lives would be ideal options.
Basically grinding, clenching and a bad bite cause the muscles that control the jaw to be overworked, they get fatigued and go into spasm. That is when the pain begins. An appliance can be made to wear over the teeth that will allow the muscles to rest and reduce the symptoms. Various medications can also help reduce the pain, as well as massage of the muscles, moist heat, and even physical therapy can help.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is not wise to ignore them. The best thing to do is call our office immediately to be evaluated and get you on the road to recovery.
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Veneers
Many people desire a brighter, cleaner, more attractive smile, but have chipped, stained, discolored, unevenly spaced, or even slightly crooked front teeth. Often, porcelain veneers or laminates can provide these people with a completely new-looking smile in just a few simple appointments. If this sounds like you, we will be glad to help evaluate your specific situation, listen to the exact changes you have in mind, and help you visualize your end results. This may involve a diagnostic 'wax up', reviewing photos of similar case outcomes, or using a computer enhancement program to provide you with several options prior to performing the actual procedure.
Fortunately, most veneers can be applied in one or two simple appointments. Afterwards, you'll just need to clean and floss your new smile daily, visit us regularly for professional care and maintenance, and consider wearing a night-guard to prevent any accidental grinding pressure while you sleep.
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